Feb. 23, 2002

The UNC women's DMR team automatically qualified for the NCAA Championships by running a track-record time of 11:08.04 at the Virginia Tech Last Chance meet Saturday in Blacksburg, Va. The time bests the old track record by more than six seconds.

Setting a track record in the 35-pound weight throw was Tar Heel Sal Gigante. His throw of 69-9 1/2 is an NCAA provisional mark and is also a new Carolina record, breaking his old UNC record of 67-11.

Taking first place for the Tar Heels in the pole vault was Brent Callaway with a vault of 17-0 3/4, also an NCAA provisional mark.

Ian Douglas captured the first spot in the shot put with a distance of 56-10, and Blair Woodward placed second in the long jump with a season-high and NCAA provisional distance of 25-0.

For the Tar Heel women, Ibiene Bilaye-Benibo set a new Carolina record in the shot put with a toss of 50-8 1/4, a mark that is an NCAA provisional length.

Shannon Burns and Bobbie Jo Munson also met NCAA provisional standards for the Tar Heels. Burns triple jump of 41-3 placed her fifth at Va. Tech, while Munson's time of 2:09.16 was good enough for sixth place in the 800-meter run.

Carol Henry placed second in the mile with a time of 4:49.23, and teammate Anissa Gainey finished eighth in the 200-meter dash at 25.54.

Carolina is back in action on Wed., Feb. 27, at the UNC Last Chance meet in the Eddie Smith Fieldhouse.